Bahrain: 3 Years On...and still the people want their Revolution

16/02/2013 13:54

Opposition: We Demand Real Democracy and an End to Tyranny

Opposition societies in Bahrain said that "Bahrain enters its third year of pro-democracy struggle, while, the regime still hold on its authoritarianism, tyranny, marginalizing people's will, monopolizing wealth and decisions. Despite the huge pro-democracy protests driven by the political majority in the country over the past two years, the tyranny, yet, has not ended. The regime prefers the repressive approach in which Bahrain bleeding continues. Recently, one of regime's brutality was the martyr Hussain Al-Jaziri (16 years old) who has been killed on Thursday 14th February 2013 with the internationally prohibited birdshot riddled his young body".

"The enormous sacrifices made by the people of Bahrain; with tens of martyrs, hundreds of detainees, thousands of injured, tortured or work-dismissed citizens, which left thousands of human rights violations and crimes perpetrated by the regime and its forces over the past two years. All of these agonies make it most impossible for the people to back-down or retreat before their legitimate pro-democracy demands are met", the opposition societies stated in today's huge protest final communiqué, Friday 15th February 2013.

"Bahrain suffers the absence of the state, the law, and the assumed institutional status. It is more closer to turning the country and its official institutions into police and security bodies aiming and targeting to take revenge from pro-democracy citizens and to silence the vast majority demands of real democracy in Bahrain".

The opposition societies, also, pointed out that "on the annicersary of the revolution, the regime turned Bahrain into a kind of military barracks. All security squads have been mobilized, and many military checkpoints have been setup, along with the wide deployment of regime forces all over Bahrain. The regime brutally repressed peaceful protests and spread terror among innocent neighborhoods, as a part of its ongoing policy of collective punishment and systematic brutal repressive measures against pro-democracy activities".

"Over the two years of sacrifices and agonies make the retreat one of the most impossible decision the people will take. After all what happened, the people will never be satisfied with superficial and marginal concessions from the regime".

They stressed that "the popular demands in Bahrain are as old as more than a century. The people of Bahrain were raising these demands before the establishment of the state. The demand of partnership and peaceful transfer of power in Bahrain cannot be nullified by a group who monopolizes the decision and wealth, holds on tyranny and exclusion against the political majority of people neglecting the good of homeland and its development".

"The regime in Bahrain continues its brutal policy, repressive language, confiscation of opinions, and several kinds of crackdowns aiming to silence the pro-democracy voice of people. There is no way for the regime to end this pro-democracy struggle, but realizing the popular demands raised by the thousands flood the streets. The democracy is ultimately coming to Bahrain, and the will of people must, now or then, produce the government and all other authorities".

The opposition stressed that the situation in Bahrain cannot bear anymore dodging, the demand is very clear, it is represented in giving the people back their right and this is cannot be bargained or gambled with not can the people give up on their right.

Two years on the revolution and Bahrain is still witnessing crimes against humanity and outrageous violations, while the State is totally absent, and the country is run by a mentality of militias, retaliation, tyranny and blood. Many have been injured or killed during the past two years, thousands have been arrested or dismissed, houses were raided in different areas across the country and mosques demolished. Two years on, and rationalism is absolutely absent while ignorance, persecution and oppression ruled. However, the sufferings of the people will only entrench their keenness to regain their rights which they have paid a high price for and are not to give up on.

Shiite Bahraini protestors clash with security forces following a rally to mark the second anniversary of an uprising in the Sunni-ruled kingdom of Bahrain, on February 14, 2013 in the village of Sanabis, West of the capital Manama (AFP Photo / Mohammed Al – Shaikh)

A teenage protester was killed in a Shiite village near the Bahraini capital Manama on Thursday, as demonstrators clashed with police during a rally marking the second anniversary of the country’s Shia uprising.

­According to the website of main Bahraini opposition group Wefaq, 16-year-old Ali Ahmed Ibrahim al-Jazeeri died in the village of Diya from what it alleged were internationally banned exploding bullets. The country’s interior ministry confirmed the death on its Twitter account, but did not release the identity of the deceased, AFP reported.

Protests started early in the morning in a few Shiite villages, as demonstrators marked the second anniversary of the beginning of the popular uprising in the country. According to the International Federation for Human Rights, at least 80 people have died in the violence over the past two years.

Shiite Bahraini protestors clash with security forces following a rally to mark the second anniversary of an uprising in the Sunni-ruled kingdom of Bahrain, on February 14, 2013 in the village of Sanabis, West of the capital Manama (AFP Photo / Mohammed Al – Shaikh)

Two police officers were reportedly hurt when their vehicles crashed in Budaiya, after anti-government protesters poured motor oil on the road. Hundreds of people participating in the rally also built roadblocks.

Nationwide protests are set to take place across Bahrain on Thursday and Friday following calls by opposition activists.

On Wednesday, Bahraini police fired tear gas and stun grenades in a crackdown on hundreds of protesters in the capital Manama. Demonstrators attempted to march to Pearl Square, which was occupied two years ago when the protest against the country’s ruling Sunni monarchy first began.

Peace in Bahrain can only be reached “through a dialogue, and the regime has to realize that,” Bahraini activist Dominic Kavakeb told RT.

“Realistically we are looking at two years, in which we’ve seen no reforms, we’ve seen nothing changed since the start of the uprising two years ago,” he added. “This really shows the lack of reforms, the continuous human right abuses, the continuous repressions taking place in the streets of Bahrain.”

Shiite Bahraini protestors clash with security forces following a rally to mark the second anniversary of an uprising in the Sunni-ruled kingdom of Bahrain, on February 14, 2013 in the village of Sanabis, West of the capital Manama (AFP Photo / Mohammed Al – Shaikh)

Shiite Bahraini women walk amidst tear gas smoke as they head to serve tea to protestors during clashes with security forces following a demonstration to mark the second anniversary of an uprising in the Sunni-ruled kingdom of Bahrain, on February 14, 2013 in the village of Sanabis, West of the capital Manama (AFP Photo / Mohammed Al – Shaikh)